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Boulonnias

History

The Boulonnais is the most elegant of all the heavy draft horse breeds. Originating in north-west France this breed was shaped by adding in other breeds such as the Spanish Barb, Arabian and Andalusian. During the fourteenth century the Boulonnais was mixed with some Mecklenburg blood to create a sturdier horse so that it could carry knights in shining, yet heavy armour. Much like other breeds, World War I and World War II caused a decrease in its population.

The Boulonnais horse was often used to pull carts full of fresh fish from Boulogne to Paris. Today, however, these horses are mainly breed for horsemet but can still be seen working on farms.

Conformation

The Boulonnais has a large, short yet elegant head with prominent and bright eyes. They have strong, rounded and wide jowls. Their ears are on the smaller side and stand straight up and they have wide open nostrails. The is thick and often arched with a long thick mane that leads into their mucular shoulder. Their back and chest and both broad and straight over top of their rounded ribs. These horses also have very mucsular hindquarters, forearms and thighs that lead to a thick tail.